Supporting local communities

Throughout our history, being a responsible corporate citizen has been the foundation of our success. At DKSH, we do business in a way that is profitable while also taking care of and having a positive impact on society.

As we are deeply rooted in the communities we serve, we actively engage in a wide range of local initiatives. DKSH encourages and empowers its local entities to initiate their own as well as cooperate in regional or Group-wide initiatives that may be centered on infrastructure development, disaster recovery, environmental programs, education or philanthropic projects.

Along with growing our business, we contribute to the development of infrastructures and promotion of economic development across Asia. As a company with a long-term focus, we offer employment security and provide stability to local communities. With us, local talents in Asia receive training, knowledge and opportunities to develop themselves within an international environment. Our capillary distribution network enhances the quality of life of millions of people as we distribute consumer goods and healthcare products to meet their daily needs.

In 2014, we continued to demonstrate this commitment to local communities through new and existing initiatives. These projects include donating Christmas presents to disadvantaged children in Taiwan, sponsoring a rugby day with disadvantaged and disabled children in Cambodia, preparing and distributing food to the needy in Hong Kong and organizing the Fantree Club-Alladdin charity run 2014 in Malaysia raising funds for welfare homes for the elderly and underprivileged children.

Supporting disabled people in Thailand

DKSH Thailand, together with Thai Holistic Health Foundation and Thai Health Promotion Foundation, are supporting an initiative to encourage the employment of blind masseuses in Thailand. The aim is to encourage and enhance training for blind masseuses and support their careers in the long-term.

DKSH achieves EcoVadis silver rating for Sustainability

DKSH has received the internationally recognized silver rating from the French agency EcoVadis for its commitment to sustainable business practices. The independent assessment rates companies according to 21 sustainability criteria in the four areas: environment, labor and human rights, ethics as well as sustainable procurement. Reaching an overall score of 50 points, DKSH ranks among the top 14 percent of companies in the industry. Stefan P. Butz, CEO of DKSH Group, said: “The silver rating from Ecovadis is a significant recognition, both for us as well as for our clients and customers around the world. Subjecting ourselves to Ecovadis’ independent assessment clearly demonstrates how committed we are to make continuous progress in the area of Sustainability.”

Makeover for Children Protection Society premises

In January, seven DKSH volunteers in Penang gave an interior makeover to the premises of the Children Protection Society which provides shelter to underprivileged children in need of housing and care. To date, there are 31 children ranging from 5 to 15 years old in its care. We refurbished some of the common rooms with new coats of paint, cleaned the premises and prepared lunch for the children. DKSH Malaysia also donated furniture and electrical items as well as personal items that colleagues had generously donated.

DKSH Thailand collection gives amputees a new lease on life

In a new long-term initiative run by DKSH Thailand, and benefitting the Prostheses Foundation of Thailand, a collection of a different kind is underway. Donations by employees, in the form of cans and other one-time-use products made out of recyclable aluminum, provide a core material in the creation more affordable prosthetics. Within the first month, nearly 40 kilograms had been received, a strong start for a campaign in its infancy.

DKSH Myanmar runs for a good cause

DKSH Myanmar organized their first-ever charity run in support of a local cancer foundation. The “Run and Contribute” marathon took place in March, in Kyike Ka San stadium and was attended by nearly 300 participants of all ages. All proceeds were donated to the Ministry of Health and Sports to provide resources, promote healthy lifestyles and create awareness for cancer. Rajinder Grover, Vice President, Consumer Goods & Head Country Management, DKSH Myanmar, said: “We are really delighted to contribute to the local community and support those fighting cancer. We also have plans to do these kinds of social activities more often in the future. We thank all participants for running for a good cause.”

Growing communities through growing food

What would our city look like it we all started growing food right on our doorsteps? In January 2018, Eats, Shoots & Roots launched a "Sayur in the City" project and established an urban farm to serve as an educational space for YWCA's Vocational Training Opportunity Center as well as to educate urbanites and visitors about local agriculture. In March, 15 DKSH volunteers completed the last link to this green ecosystem with the construction of a composting area to convert organic waste on-site to be used for the urban farm. We were also given a crash course on the various composting theories. YWCA's urban edible garden can now sustain itself financially through its produce.

DKSH provides medical aid to community children in India

DKSH is partnering with Rotary Club of Bombay Juhu Beach, a public charitable trust, to offer pediatric orthopedic surgeries for community children in Mumbai at Brahmakumari’s BSES Municipal General Hospital. The medical aid includes screenings and assessment camps for children with cerebral palsy and childhood deformities. Following the camp, all the patients’ data will be collated and the cause of treatment for each patient will be worked out. Ketan Ajmera, President, Rotary Club of Bombay Juhu Beach commented: “We are extremely excited about this project that we are able to realize thanks to our partnership with DKSH, the support of Dr. Atul Bhaskar as well as the management of BSES Municipal Hospital.”

Give blood, give love, save lives

DKSH Cambodia took the opportunity of St. Valentine’s Day to give a very special gift to the Cambodian people by donating blood for those who are in need of it. Under the motto “give blood, give love, save lives”, the event was held at DKSH’s office in Phnom Penh in the presence of the DKSH Cambodia management team, many employees and Vong Yokly, Deputy of the National Blood Transfusion Center, who commented: “We truly appreciate DKSH for their support in our blood donation campaign, to show love and save lives.”

Supporting our local communities this Christmas

DKSH has a strong commitment to the local communities we operate in. This is an integral part of our business and a key component of our approach to sustainability. We are delighted to share some of the Christmas related sustainability activities our colleagues across the Group have organized to support our local communities and spread some festive cheer.

For the eighth consecutive year, DKSH Taiwan collaborated with the Chinese Christian Relief Association on the “Christmas shoebox initiative”. Employees collected Christmas gift donations for children from economically disadvantaged families in Taiwan and organized a volunteer session to wrap the gifts. The 500 joyful volunteers made sure to spread the Christmas spirit.

DKSH supports Donggala-Palu victims in Indonesia

DKSH Indonesia has gathered donations from employees and affiliated companies around the country to support the victims of the massive earthquake and tsunami in Donggala and Palu, Central Celebes which took place in September. Stefan P. Butz, CEO, commented, “Our thoughts and feelings are with all the people in Indonesia who lost their lives or were injured, and their families. It is a shock for us to see the severe damages that this incident caused. We hope that our contributions can help to reduce the burden of suffering for the victims in the affected areas.”

DKSH spreads cheer to disadvantaged families in Singapore

Over 60 DKSH Singapore employees volunteered in an initiative run by Beyond Social Services, a charity dedicated to helping children and youth from less privileged backgrounds. The volunteers spent an afternoon packing and distributing food to disadvantaged, low-income families. As a company deeply rooted in the communities where we work, we strive to contribute to supporting economic and social progress where we are active.

Volunteering for marine turtle conservation in Malaysia

DKSH employees volunteered in WWF Malaysia’s marine turtle nesting monitoring program in Melaka in support of hawksbill turtles, a critically endangered marine turtle species in Malaysia. “Out of the seven marine turtle species in the world, only four species come to our shores to nest, and they are critically endangered because of human activities, predators and global warming. We are happy to support WWF Malaysia in its environment-conscious initiatives with the hopes to raise awareness of the magnificent marine turtles in Malaysia,” McLaren commented.

Raising awareness for wildlife conservation in Malaysia

DKSH strives to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment and to do so regularly conducts events to raise our colleagues’ awareness for wildlife conservation. In Malaysia, we partnered with WWF and some team members spent a few days in the wilderness of the Ulu Muda forest in Northwestern Malaysia. They left Ulu Muda with a fresh respect for this beautiful rainforest and its native inhabitants as well as a new vigor to spread awareness of the importance of wildlife and forest conservation.

DKSH publishes first GRI Report on sustainability

DKSH has presented its first report based on the internationally recognized Global Reporting Initiative guidelines (GRI). The report was presented by DKSH CEO Stefan P. Butz to the public in Bangkok on October 18, 2018.

Donating school bus to children in India

DKSH donated a new school bus to the pre-primary children with special needs from the Swami Brahmanand Pratisththan center in India.
“We are immensely thankful to DKSH for donating the school bus which has brought cheer and joy in the lives of the children with special needs and their families. This support means a lot to our institute”, stated Shirish Poojaari, Founder of Seabird Centre, Swami Brahmanand Pratishthan.

Engaging with children in Myanmar

In Myanmar, DKSH employees demonstrated their engagement to their local community by taking part in a day trip to the Witharkhar orphanage. This nunnery school looks after orphans and provides them, as well as other children in the local area, with a monastic education. 40 employees volunteered to organize this special day for nearly 100 children. The activities emphasized the importance of education and environmental topics. It was a special day for all involved.

Winning reduction of CO2 emissions in Vietnam

DKSH Vietnam uses co-processing, one of the most
socially and environmentally responsible methods for
disposing of healthcare-related waste. This process
substantially reduces CO2 emissions and results in
zero ash disposal. We are proud to have won an
award from INSEE Ecocycle, a leading waste management
company in Vietnam, recognizing our achievement
in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 82
tCO2e in 2016.

Empowering children through play in Thailand

Together with our long-term partner, Right To Play,
DKSH Thailand organized a series of “Play Days” in
local schools, as well as a Charity Day in Bangkok in
2017. Over 50 DKSH specialists participated in various
locations and through playing games, helped more
than 300 disadvantaged children learn about the importance
of collaboration, managing emotions, setting
goals and other life skills. They were special days
for all involved.

Gold Ecovadis rating in France

Gold Ecovadis rating in France
DKSH France participated in a CSR rating
process by Ecovadis. We were awarded
with a gold rating and scored above industry-average
in all four main categories: environment, labor
practices, fair business practices and sustainable procurement.
We are especially proud of achieving a
strong rating for our labor and fair business practices,
confirming our systematically compliant behavior
across our business.